[Hugh R]

I didn't say I'm mad, I just feel that people on the government dole aren't getting lifted out of their situation. In fact, I think it exacerbates the problem by giving them a disincentive to lift them out of their situation. I abruptly lost a good paying job about 7 years ago, and my first thought wasn't "Gee, I can now go collect government x, y & z". It was I gotta get hustling and find other work. Perhaps its because government x, y & z programs wouldn't come close to paying my mortgate, car loans, etc. But I believe for many people who don't have much, those programs are enough to allow them to survive, but barely. I for one don't know anyone who was totally dependent on the government dole who got off it and became totally self sufficient. Do you? In my old neighborhood, where I bought my starter house, I ran across lots of people on government dole. While I was working full time and going to school at night, many, many people in the neighborhood who didn't work, were outside drinking, and partying until 3AM. Please notice that I didn't say "all" people in the neighborhood.